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Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP): Hospital Recovery

After surgery, you’ll first go to the recovery room, then to a regular hospital room.

In most cases, you won’t go home until you can pass urine on your own. The hospital stay is usually 1–7 days.

Having a Catheter

To cleanse your bladder and prevent blood clots, a catheter is placed in your urethra. Fluid then flows into and out of your bladder through the tube. The fluid draining from the tube will be reddish. This is nothing to worry about.

The catheter will usually remain in place for 1–3 days. While it is in, you may feel like you have to urinate. You may also feel cramps in your bladder. If the cramping bothers you or you are in pain, tell the nurse. He or she may be able to give you medication to help you feel better.

Urinating On Your Own

In 1–3 days after surgery, the catheter is removed. This is done to see if you can urinate on your own.

It is common to feel a burning sensation when you first pass urine. Also, the urine may still look reddish or pinkish. Tell the nurse if your urine is bright red.

The amount you urinate may be measured. In most cases, you will go home when you can pass urine without the catheter. If you can’t urinate on your own, you may go home with the tube still in place and a leg bag to collect the urine. In this case, you’ll return to the doctor later on to have the catheter removed.

Before Going Home

You will be told what to do while you heal. You may be given certain medications, such as antibiotics to prevent infection. Ask your doctor when you can start taking aspirin and other medications again. When you are ready to go home, have an adult friend or relative drive you.